The influential rail lobbying group Railfuturemade a special award to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway (C&PRR) on 10 November at their annual awards ceremony in Reading.

The citation read:

“Reconnected with Chiltern main line services in August, with a high-quality interchange platform in Princes Risborough station built by the C&PRR volunteers”.

Railfuture said:“The judges were so impressed with the nominations this year that they decided to make two Special Awards”, said awards organiser Roger Blake. “The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway won their award, received by Chairman Danny Woodward, for reopening their heritage service into Princes Risborough mainline station in mid-August.”

And because of this interchange opening just 100 days ago, it will be possible to catch a steam hauled Santa Special at Princes Risborough for the very first time.

Santa inspected the new interchange and went on to Chinnor with Chiltern Railways recently on a special train and made announcements on the new platform.

Santa announced that you could join his train at Princes Risborough on Saturdays and Sundays 1st & 2nd and 8th & 9th December for the one-hour steam hauled special service. Trains leave at 10.45, 12.00 and 14.45 on each date and Santa meets every child at their seats on the train with a thoughtful present. Hot drinks and mince pies (or fruit drinks and biscuits for children) are served during the journey.

Seats must be booked in advance via www.chinnorrailway.co.uk and to celebrate the award and operating these first Santa Specials from Princes Risborough there is £2 reduction per person.

C&PRR Chairman Danny Woodward said: “The CPRR is a 100% volunteer operated railway and the award is a fantastic and timely recognition of volunteers’ efforts who have been greatly supported by Chiltern Railways and Network Rail in delivering the project over the last few years.”

Santa’s visitors can travel by Chiltern Railways services to Princes Risborough from all stations between Oxford, Banbury, Bicester, Aylesbury and High Wycombe.